Program Director – Data Strategy, Policy & Advocacy

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Data Storytelling and Thought Leadership: Integrate data-driven decision-making within the ACT Government and Public Relations team while acting as a strategic thought partner to ACT leadership and stakeholders. Key responsibilities include: Assisting leadership in leveraging data for strategic planning and resource allocation. Creating and maintaining data tools, dashboards, presentations, and visualizations that render key metrics accessible and actionable for both internal and external stakeholders. Proactively discovering research questions and analytical opportunities that align with ACT’s policy priorities. Establishing feedback loops between research findings, program design, and partnership strategies. Providing capacity-building support to colleagues by training staff on data tools, analytical frameworks, and evidence-based practices. Staying informed on external data trends, policy developments, and methodological advances pertinent to ACT’s work.

• Policy Research & Analysis: Conduct thorough, policy-relevant analyses that shape ACT’s perspectives and contribute to national discussions regarding education equity, assessment, and college and career readiness. Key responsibilities include: Offering strategic insights to inform quantitative and mixed-methods research studies addressing high-priority policy questions. Performing literature reviews and synthesizing research on education policy topics, presenting findings in actionable formats for policy and program staff. Analyzing large-scale education datasets (assessment results, demographic trends, program outcomes) to identify patterns and inform strategic recommendations. Developing and operationalizing metrics and frameworks for evaluating policy-relevant outcomes. Incorporating equity analysis to comprehend disparities in outcomes across student populations. Identifying relevant external data sources (federal, state, institutional) and establishing efficient workflows for data acquisition and management. Translating complex analyses into clear written products (briefs, memos, reports) for non-technical audiences, including policymakers and funders.

• Partner Engagement & Evidence Building: Create and implement data-sharing partnerships that enhance the evidence base for ACT programs, partnerships, and policy initiatives. Key responsibilities include: Organizing data-sharing agreements and data collection workflows with external partners (districts, states, institutions). Aiding in the development of reporting templates that can be scaled across partner engagements. Analyzing variations in stakeholder contexts and identifying conditions linked to successful outcomes. Assisting in the development of clear metrics that define and operationalize success for ACT programs and partnerships. Producing impact reports that convert research findings into actionable insights for internal teams and external stakeholders.

⛳️ Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of experience utilizing data and analysis at the district or state level to inform decision-making in education, government, nonprofit, or social impact sectors, including a proven track record of working with educational data, advising senior leaders, and shaping organizational strategy.

• Strong quantitative analysis skills.

• Familiarity with educational research designs and methodologies.

• Experience in producing external-facing policy reports, case studies, or thought leadership.

• Proficiency in building dashboards and other data visualizations, e.g., Tableau, MS Power BI, or similar software.

• Experience in designing surveys, analyzing assessment data, or evaluating programs or policies.

• Ability to translate complex data and analyses into clear written reports and presentations for non-technical audiences.

• Demonstrated project management skills with the ability to independently lead and manage multiple complex workstreams simultaneously, with minimal oversight.

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

• Proven commitment to enhancing educational outcomes and promoting equity.

• Willingness to travel approximately 10-15%.

• Bachelor’s degree in education policy, public policy, economics, statistics, data science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

🏝️ Benefits

• Company-paid life insurance.

• Medical coverage.

• Dental coverage.

• Vision coverage.

• Flexible health and dependent spending accounts.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.

• Paid holidays.

• Paid time off.